Mission statement

Empowering Young Artists, Igniting Creativity, and Supporting Arts Education!

At the Youth Art Center, our mission is to create a thriving artistic community by providing a platform for teen artists to showcase and sell their artwork. We are dedicated to supporting the arts and recognizing the tremendous positive influence it has on children's academic attainment, social-emotional development, and future employment opportunities.

The arts economy in the United States has faced significant challenges, with a decline in arts and cultural production between 2019 and 2020. According to the statistics from the Arts Action Fund, the U.S. arts economy shrank at nearly twice the rate of the overall economy, with arts and cultural production falling by 6.4% when adjusted for inflation.

Moreover, arts education has been undervalued and underfunded, limiting opportunities for young artists to explore their creative passions and develop their skills. The annual Arts in Schools Report highlights the need for increased investment in arts education, as it has been recognized to have a tremendously positive influence on children's academic attainment, social-emotional development, and future employment. Students with high arts participation and low socioeconomic status have a significantly lower dropout rate (4%) compared to their peers without arts education. Additionally, low-income students highly engaged in the arts are twice as likely to graduate from college.

The Youth Art Center aims to address these challenges by focusing on the following goals:

Empowering Young Artists: The Youth Art Center is committed to empowering teen artists by providing them with a dedicated platform to showcase and sell their artwork. Through this platform, we aim to boost their confidence, recognize their talent, and provide them with opportunities for exposure and recognition.

Igniting Creativity: We understand the importance of arts education in fostering creativity. Despite the challenges faced by the arts education system, we strive to ignite creativity in young minds by promoting arts education, advocating for increased funding, and supporting comprehensive arts curricula in schools.

Supporting Arts Education: The Youth Art Center recognizes the need for a strong arts education ecosystem. We advocate for increased investment in arts education, access to resources, and professional development opportunities for arts educators.

Bridging the Opportunity Gap: The Youth Art Center is committed to ensuring equal access to arts education and opportunities for young artists from all backgrounds. We aim to address disparities by focusing on underserved communities, where the impact of historical inequities is more pronounced. By providing resources, mentorship, and outreach programs, we strive to bridge the opportunity gap in the arts.

Through The Youth Art Center, we aim to create a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that celebrates and uplifts young artists, fuels creativity, and advocates for the importance of arts education. With our efforts, we hope to inspire a new generation of artistic expression and appreciation, while nurturing the talents and dreams of young artists.